Packing machine for nursery stock



Nov. 15, 1966 R. J. BROERSMA PACKING MACHINE FOR NURSERY STOCK 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. BOBEBT J. BBOEBSMA Z/MZZM WW ATTOPNEVS Filed Dec. '7, 1962 Mn 2 mm N. 5 Ji ll Nov. 15, 1966 BRQERSMA 3,284,981

PACKING MACHINE FOR NURSERY STOCK 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 7, 1962 INVENTOR. ROBERT J. BQOEQSMA ATTOP E9 5 Nov. 15, 1966 R. J. BROERSMA 3,284,981

PACKING MACHINE FOR NURSERY STOCK Filed Dec. 7, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 BAN DER INVENTOR ROBERT J. BQOEBSMA a/WfiMW/% ATTOPNEVS Nov. 15, 1966 R. J. BROERSMA 3,284,981

PACKING MACHINE FOR NURSERY STOCK Filed Dec. '7, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTQR /3 ROBERT J. BQOEBSMA 22%, z%%% Ww ATTOPNE HS Nov. 15, 1966 R. J. BROERSMA PACKING MACHINE FOR NURSERY STOCK 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec.

INVENTOR. BOBEQT Jv BBOEQSMA AD'OPNEVS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 III (po R. J. BROERSMA PACKING MACHINE FOR NURSERY STOCK Nov. 15, 1966 Filed Dec. '7, 1962 INVENTOR. QDBEQT J. BBOEBSMA sill II 51 pll'm l l l I ATTOPN E5 5 United States Patent 3,284,981 PACKlNG MACIHNE FOR NURSERY STOCK Robert 3. Eroersma, Spring Lake Township, ttawa County, Mich, assignor to B & B Engineering Company, Grand Haven, Micl1., a partnership Filed Dec. 7, 1962, Ser. No. 243,044 15 Claims. (Cl. 53-124) packing of irregular artito the packing of nursery handling and merchandis- This invention relates to the cles and it particularly relates stock into packages for storage,

ing.

While the subject matter of the present invention is applicable to a wide range of articles and situations, it developed out of a need in the nursery packaging field and accordingly the hereinafter presented description will be carried out in terms of the needs and practices of nursery operations. However, it will be clearly understood that reference to such features hereinafter is solely for descriptive purposes and not limiting.

Turning now to the requirements of a packing machine useful in the nursery field for illustrative purposes as above set forth, it has long been a problem to handle nursery stock, particularly relatively small stock, in large quantities, wrapping same in a moisture-controlling material, such as peat moss, and then inserting same into a suitable storage and/ or merchandising package. Much of this nursery stock is of a relatively delicate nature, has fine and completely flexible r-oots so that it is sufiicient if it is merely laid onto a moisture-controlling material, and the same wrapped about the roots of the plant. While the problems of filling the packing material in and among the roots of large and stiff nursery stock, such as is dealt with in my application Serial No. 185,915, now Patent No. 3,195,283, are not of concern here, the problem of minimizing root damage dealt with therein is not only present here also but is even more important here since the kinds of nursery stock handled in the situation here being considered are often relatively delicate and if treated at all roughly will be unduly damaged. Such damage may affect the capacity of growth or it may affect only the appearance but in even the latter event it will render the merchandise less attractive for sale.

While such products can be pack-aged in relatively large numbers reasonably inexpensively by hand methods, there still remains the problem of insuring uniformity of packing when same is done by hand. Further, when such packaging is done by hand and it becomes necessary to package several hundred thousand nursery units within the space of a few weeks, it often requires very large expansion of the labor force of a given nursery. This presents hiring and other personnel problems and also presents problems of providing working space for a large number of'people for only a few weeks of time. All of these represent multiplying and interrelated problems in large nursery operations which it is desired to minimize and which is possible by the substiution of machine handling of such nursery stock in place of hand handling thereof.

A further problem in the packing of nursery stock lies in the many different sizes, shapes and conditions under which such material is to be packed. Some nursery stock has relatively limp structure so that it can be readily protected merely by folding it into any kind of packing material, whereas other stock, such as shrubs and roses, may have a stiff root structure whose conditions of packing are somewhat different. Other situations recognize the fact that nursery stock needs to be packed in a variety of different materials. For example, peony roots are required to receive water and hence are packed into a moisture-holding material, such as peat moss. Other roots, such as canna, are required to be kept dry and hence are packed into moisture-absorbing material, such as wood shavings.

3,284,981 Patented Nov. 15, 1966 ice Further, some nursery stock is packaged in sacks, some in boxes, and others in pots. To provide different machines for the handling of even a substantial number of these different situations and the various combinations thereof has long been recognized as desirable but considered impossible and, to my knowledge, not successfully accomplished prior hereto.

Finally, it must be recognized that any machine for packing nursery stock or similar is likely to be operated by labor unskilled in the operating of machines. Similarly with respect to maintenance, it must be recognized that a machine which could be properly maintained by the personnel available in a machine shop employing skilled machinists would not be suitable in a nursery where it is not likely that any of the personnel will be skilled machinists. Hence, for this further reason, previously designed automatic machines for this purpose have not, insofar as I am aware, been commercially successful.

Accordingly, the objects of the invention include:

(1) To provide a method for packing irregularly shaped articles in a mass of soft material which can be carried out by a variety of different mechanical devices and which will be applicable to articles of a variety of different shapes and sizes.

(2) To provide a method, as aforesaid, which is particularly adaptable to the packing of nursery stock, which will be capable of use with many different kinds, sizes and types of nursery stock and, which will be capable of packing same in many different kinds and sizes of containers.

(3) To provide a method, as aforesaid, which can be practiced by apparatus which is of relatively simple construotion whereby to minimize both costs of construction and cost of maintenance.

(4) To provide apparatus capable of carrying out the foregoing-named objectives.

(5) To provide apparatus, as aforesaid, which will be operable with nursery stock of many different types including both those having soft or limp structures and those having relatively stiff root structures and wherein a given machine may be readily used with several different types of containers or packages with little or no physical modification thereof.

(6) To provide apparatus, as aforesaid, which can be manufactured as a single unit or wherein such units can with only slight modification be arranged in multiple for high-speed automated operation,

(7) To provide apparatus, as aforesaid, which will be of sufficient simplicity as to be capable of manufacture at a relatively low cost and which is further of sufficient simplicity as to be capable of maintenance at a low cost agill by personnel which is relatively unskilled mechanic y.

(8) To provide apparatus, as aforesaid, which can be automated, if desired, but automated to a variety of different degrees of automation whereby a given base structure may be provided with whatever controls and auxiliary equipment is best suited to a given users requirements.

(9) To provide apparatus, as aforesaid, which will impose no appreciable danger onto the operators.

Other objects and purposes of this invention will be apparent to persons acquainted with a device of this general type upon reading the following specification and inspection of the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus embodying the invention in the single-station form.

FIGURE 2 is a top view of the apparatus embodying the invention in the single-station form shown after the container C has been filled.

FIGURE 3 is a top view of the apparatus embodying the invention in the single-station form shown with the container C yet to be filled.

FIGURE 4 is a section taken on the line IVIV o'f FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a partially broken section taken on the line VIVI of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary view showing placement of a pot on the apparatus embodying the invention in the single-station form.

FIGURE 8 is a section taken on the line VIIIVIII of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view, partially sectioned of a receptacle unit of the multiple form of the apparatus embodying the invention in its filled condition.

FIGURE 10 is a top, partially schematic view of the multiple station form of the apparatus embodying the invention.

FIGURE 11 of FIGURE 10 FIGURE 12 is a section taken on line XIIXII 0f FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 13 is a side elevational view of a receptacle unit of the multiple form of the apparatus, embodying the invention in its empty condition.

FIGURE 14 is a central section of a receptacle modified for use with pots.

FIGURE 15 is a fragmentary end sectional view of the cylinder units showing same in close relative spacing.

FIGURE 16 is a section taken on the line XVIXVI of FIGURE 13.

FIGURE 17 is a schematic representation of a control system for the apparatus of FIGURE 1.

General description In general the invention comprises a method wherein a body of I is a section taken on the line VV of is a sectional view taken on line XIXI The packing material. The

brought together to define a packing and the plant are held A cylinders, into and through a sultable guiding tube and thence into the receptacle. When the device is to be made into an automatic machine, a plurality of packing The terms upward tions with respect to the tion of use. The terms will refer to direcapparatus in its normal posiinward and outward will Such terminology will also include derivatives of sai words above mentioned as well as words of similar import Referring first to the single-station form of the ap paratus, there is provided a table 1 supported on an) Whose flanges are afiixed to the plate 4, ing. A pair of end plates 9 and 11 are afilxed to the 0pposite ends of said channel 8 and extend upwardly therefrom.

A pair of hemicircular casing members, here halves 12 and 9 and 11 and are fastened together by a continuous hinge member 14 at the mutually adjacent lower edges thereof. Thus, said casing members 12 and 13 may be moved from an open position as "shown in FIGURES 3 and 5 to but one convenient device for this purpose is the yoke 16 (FIGURES I, 4 and 5). Here there is provided an opening 17 extending through the web of the channel halves 12 and 13 elastic element 32 to eifect opening of A generally U-shaped opening 36 end member 11 the lower edge 37 (FIG- fininlg an arc substantially coaxial with the lower part of the casing halves 12 and 13 when same are in their closed position. A pusher 38 is provided with a radius slightly smaller than that of the arc 37 face plate 66 is provided with an upwardly opening slot 39 the lower edge of which defines an arc of radius slightly larger than the radius of the stem of the plant to be packed and substantially coaxial with the face plate 66 itself and extending through the upper edge thereof. The backing plate 67 is provided with a similar but larger slot 70. The rod 41 is mounted on a slide 42 and said slide 42 reciprocates on a guide member 43 which is supported by brackets 44 and 46 rigidly on the table 1. The rod 41 is reciprocated by any convenient means, such as a plunger 48 of a suitable pressure fluid cylinder 47. Preferably, said pressure fluid cylinder will be an air cylinder but this is a matter of choice.

The rod 24 of the yoke 16 may be vertically urgeable in any convenient manner, such as by means of a pressure fluid cylinder 51 connected to said rod. Thus operation of the cylinder 51 in one direction will push the yoke 16 upwardly to close the casing halves 12 and 13 in the manner shown in FIGURE 4 and operation of the cylinder 51 in another direction will permit the rod 24 to move downwardly in part by gravity and in part by the response to the urging of the resilient member 32. to permit the opening of said casing halves.

Any convenient hopper means 50 (FIGURE 5) may be provided above the casing halves 12 and 13 and same may be operated either manually or automatically for dispening packed material into said casing halves when desired. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 5, the hopper is provided with an opening 54 through which a reciprocating trap device 53 is extenda'ble. Said trap 53 is provided with a portion 56 for defining a measured quantity and a solid shuttle 57 for closing the opening 54 when same extends therethrough. A pressure fluid cylinder, such as an air cylinder 58 is provided for reciprocating said trap. While any of convenient responsive means may be used, a pressure fluid switch 59 is here provided to be actuated by the slide 42 when same is in its retracted position (rightward in FIGURE 1) whereby to energize the cylinder 58 for conveying packed material from the hopper 50 into the casing halves 12 and 13 when same are in their open position. A second pressure fluid switch 60 is provided for operation when the yoke 16 is in its upward position by which to energize the cylinder 47 and cause plunger 48 to move leftwardly (as seen in FIGURE 1) for purposes as set out further hereinafter. 1

FIGURE 17 discloses for purposes of illustration a preferred hydraulic control device by means of which the cylinders 47, 51 and 58 maybe operated in a predetermined sequence with a minimum of eflort on the part of the operator. The source S of pressure fluid, which is preferably compressed air, and which will be referred to as such hereinafter, feeds through appropriate filters, a pilot feeder regulator R which in turn feeds the pilot valves V V V and V The pilot valve V is opened by means of a push-button FB and when so actuated allows air from the pilot line to flow theret'hrough to the pilot valve V The .pilot valve V is opened by means of the push-button H3 and when so actuated allows air to flow therethrough to the air cylinder AC The pilot valves V and V are biased in their closed position by the springs S and S respectively.

The source S also feeds through the main line regulator R and lubrication device L to the main valves V V and V The main valve V is actuatable leftwardly from the position of FIGURE 17 by said air cylinder AC to admit air from the main line to the lower chamber of the air cylinder 51 and to allow the upper chamber of said air cylinder 51 to exhaust into the atmosphere thereby moving the piston rod of the air cylinder 51 upward-1y.

The air switch 60 of FIGURE 1 is seen in FIGURE 17 to be comprised of the pilot valve V a spring 5.; and a cam C The pilot valve V4: is actuatable to its open position by means, such as the cam C actuated by the rod 24 (FIGURE 1) as same reaches its uppermost position, said rod 24 being driven by the piston rod of the air cylinder 51. The pilot valve V (FIGURE 17) is biased toward its closed position by the spring 8 The valve V in its open position allows air to flow from the regulator R to an air cylinder AC and to a timing device T Actuation of the air cylinder AC moves the main valve V leftwardly to allow air from the regulator R to flow into the leftward side of the air cylinder 47 and to allow the rightward side of the air cylinder 47 to exhaust into the atmosphere thereby driving the pusher 38 (FIGURE 1) into the cylinder defined by the casing halves 12 and 13. The main valve V is biased against such leftward movement thereof by a spring S The timing device T is comprised of a restrictive orifice 201 and a ball check valve 202 in parallel therewith. Said ball check valve 202 is oriented to prevent air flow therethro-ugh from the pilot valve V The timing device T provides a time delay which may conveniently be adjustable and which delays the actuation of an air cylinder AC fed thereby for a predetermined interval after the actuation of the air cylinder AC The air cylinder AC moves the pilot valve V leftward-1y against a spring S to open said valve and to thereby allow air from the regulator R to flow to air cylinders AC and AC Actuation of the air cylinder AC moves the main valve V rightwardly thereby allowing air from the main regulator R to flow into the upper end of the air cylinder 51 and allowing the lower end of said cylinder to exhaust into the open air. The piston rod of the air cylinder 51 is then driven downwardly to open the casing halves 12 and 13. Actuation of the air cylinder AC acts with the spring S to return the main valve V rightwardly to its position shown in FIGURE 17 thereby allowing air from the main regulator R to flow into the rightward side of the air cylinder 47 and allowing the leftward side of said air cylinder to exhaust into the atmosphere. The pusher 38 is thus retracted from the casing-half area.

Full retraction of the piston rod of the air cylinder 47 (FIGURE 17) moves through suitable mechanical means which may include a cam C the pilot valve V leftwardly against a spring S7 thereby allowing air from the pilot regulator R to flow to a timing device T and to the air cylinder AC It will be seen that the pilot valve V the spring S7, and the cam C comprise the air switch 59 of FIGURE 1. The air cylinder AC is connected to the main valve V and moves same leftwardly against the spring S thereby allowing air from the main regulator R to flow to the upper end of the air cylinder 58 and allowing the lower end of said air cylinder to exhaust into the atmosphere. The trap device 53 (FIGURE 5) is thereby caused to advance a load of packing material into the casing halves 12 and 13.

The timing device T (FIGURE 17), consisting of a ball check valve and restrictive orifice in parallel, restricts the flow of air therethrough into the air cylinder AC Timing out of the timing device T allows the air cylinder AC with the spring S to return the main valve V rightwardly to its position shown in FIGURE 17 whereby air from the main regulator R is allowed to flow into the lower end of the air cylinder 58 and whereby the upper end of the air cylinder 58 is allowed to exhaust into the atmosphere. The trap device 53 is thus retracted to its position within the hopper 50 as shown in FIGURE 5.

OPERATION OF FORMS SHOWN IN FIGURES 1 TO 8 AND 17 Assuming for purposes of illustration that the device thus far described is to be used for packing small and flexible plants such as carnations into peat moss and then into a paper bag, the hopper 50 will be appropriately supplied with peat moss, a supply of such plants will be placed on the table 1 at one side of the guide casing 18 and a supply of bags is placed on said table on the other depresses the push buttons PB and PB (FIGURE 17) opening the series pilot valves V and V to allow the air cylinder AC to move the main valve V to its leftward position at or after which point the operator may release said push buttons. Since the air cylinder AC acts quickly, only a momentary depression of said push buttons is required of the operator. Upon release operator then container C, placlng it into a box or other operations as desired.

As the pusher 38 begins to move toward the casing halves 12 and 13, the pressure fluid switch 59 is released as may be desired,

is allowed by the orientation of the timing device T The pilot system of the valve V is thus tion.

Where the device is intended to fill relatively small pots in place of the sack-type container C a pot P may be then maintains its position thereat, momentarily, until the timer T (FIGURE 17) times out. The pilot valve V then is opened by the air cylinder AC to permit actuation of the air cylinders AC, and AC The air cylinder allows the air cylinders AC and AC into the atmosphere. Simultaneously, AC and the spring S move the main wardly, reversing the air pressure in the to exhaust freely the air cylinder valve V right- It will be recognized that by this mechanism a sing: operator can pack a large number of items of nurser stock in a relatively short time but that the device ma Hence the machine, though simple, is extremely versatile, and the single, simple, base machine may be widely adapted to many specific packing conditions and requirements.

FIGURES 9 TO 16 tron equipment, adaptable thereto.

Referring first to FIGURE 12, there is shown a single unit of the invention modified for multiple use. The

with a few modifications, evident. The majority of the parts those already described in connection and hence these parts are which will be readily are identical with with FIGURES denoted 74 is mounted at 76 (FIGURE 9) pivotally on a pair of said uprights being rigidly fastened to the web of the inverted channel memirightward (as seen in FIGURE 13) movement of said rod. A plate 83 is aflixed to the other end of said rod for defining a reciprocal bottom for the receptacle 74. Suitable resilient means 84 are provided between the rod base 82 and the base 75 for constantly urging said rod base 82 rightwardly. A mounting bracket 86 is mounted on said rod base 82 and carries a cam tollower 87.

The parts are arranged as hereinafter set forth in more detail so that the resilient members 84 will normally maintain said receptacle 74 in a horizontal position on the limiting support 85 as shown in FIGURE 1.3 and appropriate actuation of the cam follower 87 will pivot the receptacle on the pivot support 76 and move it into the position shown in FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 14 shows a modified receptacle structure 74 which may be used for loading non-flexible containers such as the pot P shown therein. The modification required is a simple one and includes the removal of the aforementioned plate 83 from the end of the plunger 79. A pot container 132 into which the pot P snugly but extractably fits, fits snugly but slidingly into the mouth of the receptacle 74 and in its normal position therein extends a suitable distance beyond the mouth of the receptacle 74 so that when the receptacle 74 is horizontally positioned as in FIGURE 13, the rim of the pot P will be spaced only slightly from the discharge end of the guide cylinder 34a. A spring 133 tends to maintain the pot container 132 in its aforesaid normal position as shown in FIGURE 14. The rod 79 functions to force and partially exit the pot P from the pot container 132 at the end of the packing cycle as hereinafter discussed.

Turning now to the manner in which these units are arranged together for automatic operation, attention is directed to FIGURES 10, 11 and 12 wherein the apparatus is shown somewhat schematically for ease in understanding the principles thereof but nevertheless in suflicient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention.

A plurality of plates 61 as described are coupled together to form an articulated belt 91 which is arranged over suitable drive rollers of which one end of a pair is shown at 92 and 93 and one of a similar pair at the other end is indicated at 93a. Said drive rollers revolve in bearings indicated at 135, 136, 137 and 138. A hopper 96 is provided for introducing packing material into the casing halves 12a and 13a. Said hopper 96 may be operated so as to open and close in timed relation to the appearance of a pair of casing halves 12a and 13a under same or the hopper 96 may be preferably permitted to discharge continuously. Said continuous discharge requires that shedders 131 as seen in FIGURE 11 be placed between the outward edges of the unclosed casing halves 12a and 13a if peat moss is not to be wasted or alternately, said casing halves will be placed substantially touching each other from one unit to the next as shown in FIGURE 15. Said hopper 96 may as shown in FIGURE 15 contain an agitator 121 driven by means not shown and may be opened by means of a door 122. A knife means 123 may be used to sweep excess peat moss from filled casing halves toward casing halves being filled.

At 97 there is indicated schematically the presence of means for placing a container C such as a plastic or paper bag in place on the guide cylinder 34a. The means 97 may be an automatic device or it may be a workman applying said receptacles by hand onto the guide cylinders 34a as same appear successively adjacent the station 97.

A substantially similar indication appears at 98 with respect to means for placing a plant in position on the packing material carried by the open casing halves 12a and 13a. This may be carried out automatically or same may be done by a workman occupying the approxirnate position shown by the station 98 and placing said plants in position by hand.

A suitable earn track 100 is provided under the belt 91 for engaging the successive rollers 87 at appropriate times and moving the yokes 16a upwardly for closing the casing halves 12a and 13a together when desired and permitting same again to open of cam tracks 101 and 102 are provided alongside of the belt 91 for receiving the successive rollers 63 which drive their associated pushers 38a and cause each said pusher 38a to enter into a cylinder, defined by casing halves 12a and 13:: when same are closed together, tor driving the packing material and plant contained therein through the guide cylinder 34a and into the container C held thereon. In order to minimize the number of ram. units (each comprising in part a pusher 38a, a slider 43a and a controller 63) needed, it may be desirable, instead, to provide a ram un' tor co-operation therewith on each of the plates 61 whereby a plurality of ram units may be provided .separately from the units carrying the casing halves 12a and 13a. To this end, said ram units may be mounted on separate mounting plates 103 and said plates may be articulated together for forming a separate belt 104. Said belt 104 will, however, (be mechanically interlocked with the belt 91 in order that the pushers 38:: will be aligned properly with successive casing halves 12a and 13a when same are closed to form a packing cylinder. The belt 104 is here shown as mounted on suitable drive rollers one of which is shown at 143 (FIG- URE 12); said rollers are mounted in bearings indicated at 136, 144, and 145 (FIGURE 10).

The receiving units characterized by the receptacles 74 and the bases 72 upon which said receptacles are mounted, are also articulated together to form a :belt 111. This is mounted upon suitable rollers one of which is shown at 112 (FIGURE 12) which are mounted in bearings and 141 and are driven in any convenient manner, not shown, but wherein the driving is rigidly interlocked with the driving of the belt 91 in order that said successive receptacles 74 will be coaxial with successive ones of the guide cylinders 3411. A pair of spaced cam tracks 116 and 117 are provided for engaging the successive cam followers 87 for rotating the receptacle units 71 from their FIGURE 13 positions to their FIGURE 9 positions.

Thus the operation of the individual units is substantially the same as that above described in connection with the single-station machine. However, the operation of the automatic machine will be reviewed further in the interest of insuring a complete understanding of this aspect of the invention.

As seen in FIGURE 10, each of the successively arranged casing units first enters a given cycle at the station I where same is on the upper side of the belt 91 and the casing halves 12a and 13a are open ready to receive a quantity of packing material. Here an appropriate container C is placed on the guide cylinder 34a in the same manner as above described in connection with the single-station unit. under the hopper 96 at Station II and is filled to a degree dependent upon the rate of discharge of said hopper 96. At Station III the plant is placed, again with the root portion thereof over the packing material and the upper portion extending through the slots 39a of the pushers 38a. At Station IV the cam follower 64 rides up on the cam 100 and effects a closing or the casing halves 12a and 13a. This is followed at Station V by commencement of the rise of the cam 101 whereby the pusher 3&1 is driven into the closed casing halves 12a and 13a to drive the packed material and plant contained therein into and through the guide cylinder 34:: and the container C is ranged thereon. At Station VI the pusher 38a is partway through tme guide cylinder 34a and the container C is shown as having attained a position partway into the receptacle 74. At Station VII the container C is all the way into the receptacle 74. Beginning at Station VIII the cam 102 effects .a withdrawal of the pusher 3841 from the when desired. Apair Said casing unit then passes as removing it manually or automatically from said receptacle, placing it in a further box or package, placing an identifying band thereon or other procedure as desired. It will be noted that the cam tracks 116 and 117 may be to effect, through the rod 79 and plate of the sack C [from the receptacle 79 automatically at or beyond Station IX.

In the meantime, commencing at Station VII the cam 100 lowers at 100a and permits the yoke 16a to drop and thereby open the casing halves 12a and 13a. halves now return on the under side of the tion I as above described and the cycle is ready to repeat.

automatically is for filling rbags C but with the following baigger 97, rather than placing a bag C on the guide cylinder 34a at Station I, maybe employed to place a pot P in the pot container 132 first as a suitably modified receptacle 74 appears on the upper side of the changes. The

will reduce spillage toneglig'ible amounts. Overshoot of the pusher 38a is absorbed by the spring 133. At Station IX the rod 79 propelled by the cams 116 and 117 engages th bottom of the pot which lie within the scope of the appended claims are fully contemplated.

What is claimed is:

1. A packaging device, primarily for nursery stock, comprising in combination:

a pair of substantially horizontal hemicylindrical casing halves and hinge means hingedly connecting said pivotal movement toward and away halves and which is located adjacent the lower lengthwise edges of said casing halves;

closure control means for elfecting pivotal movement of said casing halves between an open position in which said casing halves open upwardly and a closed position in which said halves face each other and define a generally cylindrical packing space;

reciprocable ram means positione-dadjacent one longitudinal end of said casing halves and aligned with the through said packing material therefrom. 2. A packaging device according to claim 1, in which said closure control means is disposed below said casing halves.

3. A packaging said closure control means includes a vertically reciprosaid casing halves to said open position.

4. A packaging machine primarly for nursery stock, comprising the combination:

a pair of hemicylindrical casing portions and hinge means hinging same together for opening and closing movement with respect to each other;

means supporting said casing portions in a substantially horizontal upwardly opening position when said portions are in open condition;

a guide tube and alignment means for supporting same coaxially with respect to said casing portions when same are in closed position;

a ram and driving means supporting same for reciprocable movement centered on an axis coincident with the axis of said casing in closed position;

whereby packing material and the plant may be placed on the casing portions when same are open, and after same are closed said ram may move through the confined zone formed thereby and drive said packing material and the plant held therewithin into and through said guide tube; and

the end of said guide tube being adapted for supporting a container into which the packing material and plant may be impelled.

5. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said closure control means comprises a generally Y-shaped member positioned below said casing halves with the branches of said Y-shaped member engageable respectively with each of said casing halves and means for eiTecting vertical movement of said Y-shaped member, whereby upward movement will eifect closing of said casing halves and downward movement of said Y-shaped member will permit said casing halves to open.

6. The device defined in claim 5 including also means positively urging opening movement of said casing halves.

of said receptacle following placement of said material therein.

pivot-ing of said frame member providing for movement thereof into a first position substantially coaxial with said casing halves when they are in said closed position and into a second position at an angle with respect thereto, whereby when said frame member is in its first position and a receptacle is positioned in said receptacle holder, said ram means in urging said material from said casing halves into said receptacle will urge said receptacle against said resilient means.

11. The device defined in claim 1 including a plurality of pairs of further substantially similar casing halves and hinge means connecting said pairs of casing halves together and means arranging said pairs of casing halves for successive presentation of all of said pairs of easing halves to a first station, means at said first station for supplying packing material to said pairs of casing halves and means automatically operative successively on said pairs of easing halves for causing them to be in open position at said first station and for subsequently assuming a closed position.

12. The device defined in claim 11 including also a plurality of guide tubes and alignment means, said alignment means maintaining alignment of at least one of said guide tubes with -a closed pair of casing halves at a second station;

ram means and means maintaining said ram coaxial with said guide tube and said casing at said second station;

whereby packing material may be placed on said successively appearing casing halves at said first station, a plant placed thereon and said casing halves closed at a point immediately following said first station and said ram will drive said packing material through said guide tube and into a receptacle at said second station and said procedure will be repeated successively as the casing halves are successively presented to said stations.

13. An automatic packaging machine primarily for nursery stock, comprising the combination:

a plurality of pairs of hemicylindrical casing members and hinge means hinging same together for opening and closing movement with respect to each other and first endless belt means supporting said casing halves in substantially horizontal position when said members are in open condition and arranged for successive presentation to a first station;

means at a second station for closing casing halves successively and for holding same closed at a third station and thereafter permitting said casing members to open;

a plurality of guide tubes and means including a second endless belt for supporting a plurality of said guide tubes, said first and second endless belts being arranged with respect to each other so that said casing members and said guide tubes will be arranged coaxially with respect to each other at least at said third station;

a plurality of ram units and means including a third endless belt for arranging said plurality of ram means for successive presentation to said third station and alignment at said third station with said casing members and said guide tube;

means halves means effecting reciprocation of said ram while maintaining said alignment;

whereby packing material may be placed in said casing members at said first station and the plant to be packed therein may be placed on said packing material immediately after said first station and a ram may be actuated to drive packing material with a plant therein at said second station from the one of said casing members located thereat at a given mo ment through the guide means aligned therewith and into a receptacle.

14. The device defined in claim 13 including a plurality of reciprocable holders and means including a fourth endless belt for supporting same for successive presentation to, and alignment with, said guide means at said second station.

15. A packing device primarily for nursery stock, comprising in combination:

a base;

a pair of hemicylindrical casing halves hinged together along respectively adjacent edges thereof;

a pair of end units closing the ends of said casing members'in both open and closed positions thereof and closure control means for eflecting opening and closing of said casing halves;

openings through said end units coxial with said casing halves when same are in their closed position;

a guide tube afiixed to one end unit coaxial with the opening therein and adapted for receiving material from within said guide tube into a package held adjacent the end thereof; and

ram means reciprocably arranged and centered on the line coaxial with the opening in said other end unit and with the casing halves when same are in their closed position;

means eifecting reciprocation of said ram means;

control means for automatically sequencing an operating cycle of said foregoing named .parts, said control means including means providing a pause following the working stroke of said ram means and before the retraction thereof;

whereby said casing unit may be opened for receiving packing material and a plant therewithin and when same is closed said ram unit may operate to push such packing material and the plant contained therewithin out from said casing, into said guide unit and thence into said receptacle and time will then be provided for the operator to remove the receptacle away from the ram means to prevent the packing material from following the ram means on its return stroke.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1961 Zeller 53-124 8/1964 Weller 53-24 XR 

1. A PACKAGING DEVICE, PRIMARILY FOR NURSERY STOCK, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: A PAIR OF SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL HEMICYLINDRICAL CASING HALVES AND HINGE MEANS HINGEDLY CONNECTING SAID CASING HALVES FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM EACH OTHER ABOUT A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL HINGE AXIS WHICH EXTENDS LENGTHWISE OF SAID CASING HALVES AND WHICH IS LOCATED ADJACENT THE LOWER LENGTHWISE EDGES OF SAID CASING HALVES; CLOSURE CONTROL MEANS FOR EFFECTING PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID CASING HALVES BETWEEN AN OPEN POSITION IN WHICH SAID CASING HALVES OPEN UPWARDLY AND A CLOSED POSITION IN WHICH SAID HALVES FACE EACH OTHER AND DEFINE A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL PACKING SPACE; RECIPROCABLE RAM MEANS POSITIONED ADAJCENT ONE LONGITUDINAL END OF SAID CASING HALVES AND ALIGNED WITH THE PACKING SPACE DEFINED BY SAID CASING HALVES WHEN THEY ARE IN SAID CLOSED POSITION AND MEANS FOR EFFECTING RECIPROCATION OF SAID RAM MEANS INTO AND OUT OF SAID PACKING SPACE SO THAT WHEN THE CASING HALVES ARE IN THEIR OPEN POSITION PACKING MATERIAL CAN BE DEPOSITED THEREIN AND THEN SAID CASING HALVES CAN BE MOVED TO THEIR CLOSED POSITION IN ORDER TO SHAPE SAID PACKING MATERIAL INTO A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL SHAPE, FOLLOWING WHICH SAID RAM MEANS MAY BE MOVED LENGTHWISE THROUGH SAID PACKING SPACE TO DISCHARGE THE PACKING MATERIAL THEREFROM. 